Rooting For Dele Igbinedion, A Leader With Davidic Disposition! (OPINION) By Isaac Asabor
As a dyed-in-the-wool admirer of Dr. Martin Luther King Junior’s oratorical prowess which has remained unparalleled since April 4, 1955, when he was assassinated, his quote goes thus, “A man can’t ride your back unless it’s bent”, has from one political dispensation to another been finding relevance. Presumed from the foregoing constructive quote in this context, it is not an exaggeration to opine that Edolites’ backs have at each passing political regime since 1999 when Nigeria adopted the prevailing democratic system of government been bending their backs for politicians of all styles of leadership to ride, particularly as has been witnessed in the ongoing political dispensation.
Despite the disillusionments that usually fall out from the foregoing collective uncharitable disposition of the political elite in Edo State, another opportunity for Edolites to boldly and choicely say “Enough is Enough” through their votes, if not rigged, beckons, come 2024. In fact, it is no more news that Edolites will be going to the polls once again to decide the fate of governance not just for a tenure of four years but for the very policy direction of the state towards the development of the state. Just like the 2023 general election was to determine the trajectory of Nigeria, so also is the 2024 Edo election that is feverishly been expected.
Given the malfeasance of Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration over the last 8 years, whose performance not a few Edolites will agree leaves a sour taste in the mouth as well as leaves much to be desired, it is germane that a leader who would by far be better off in terms of rendering people-oriented service delivery is been searched for, and the leader that no doubt deserve to be nominated and be voted for, come 2024, in the estimation of this writer and not a few Edolites; both at home and in Diaspora is no other person than Barrister Dele Igbinedion who at the moment seeks nomination on the platform of the Labour Party (LP).
Given the deficiency of developmental and people-oriented leadership qualities that the assuming governor of Edo State has put on display in the last 8 years to the detriment of the State and embitterment of the citizens, it is expedient that the next governor to be elected in 2024 to replace Obaseki must be a leader that would eschew clueless governance and embrace people-oriented governance, and that is where the need to nominate Barrister Dele Igbinedion as the flagbearer of the Labour Party (LP) ahead of the gubernatorial election in the state come 2024 makes sense as the coast is clear for LP in the state.
Against the foregoing backdrop, it is expedient to ask, “What kind of leadership qualities does Igbinedion has that makes him qualified in this context to be recommended for nomination and voting when the appropriate times come?”
The answer to the foregoing question cannot be farfetched as he is a leader that has a humanitarian approach. As widely known, the human approach to leadership is one of the idealistic characteristics citizens look for from their leaders. In the same vein, being humane as a leader is the ability to respect every citizen’s value, particularly when leaders lend ears to their worries as against what Edolites have been witnessing in the ongoing political dispensation.
As a humane leader that is naturally imbued with milk of human kindness, it is edifying that if Edo state must break with the yolk and burden of Obaseki and his team who gluttonously think that the machinery of government in the state is been driven by a system of government called “Foodocracy” in their own self-created world, a kind of leader like Igbinedion should be supported right from the nomination stage within his party to the gubernatorial polls. Without a doubt, not a few Edolites are asking about Igbinedion in a manner that is a reminiscence of 1 Samuel chapter 16 verse 18 where the Israelites asked, “Behold I have seen a son of Jesse…..that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man…and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.
For the sake of clarity for those that are not in Christendom, it is expedient to opine that David the son of Jesse comes across as a balanced personality that graphically paints the picture of the virtues Igbinedion represents in terms of having what it takes to govern people, particularly in the capacity of a governor. In fact, as biblically gathered, he is a well-rounded youth who developed various aspects of his personality. He was skillful in the use of musical instruments. As a courageous shepherd by trade, he was so athletic as to suggest that he was involved in regular exercise and military training. He lived a disciplined life and had a personal relationship with God.
Given the foregoing, it is not an exaggeration to say that the clarion call for David to lead his people is being replicated by Edolites as they are in the same vein calling Igbinedion to come to their rescue by virtue of his leadership qualities. In fact, not a few Edolites are in support of Igbinedion’s ambition of becoming the governor of Edo State as he possesses the qualities of a good leader drawn from David’s leadership style. Paraphrase in this context, not a few Edolites that know who Igbinedion is as an activist and as a helper of the downtrodden and the oppressed are saying “Behold I have seen a son of Igbinedion…..that is astute when it comes to people-oriented leadership, and a sincere leader that is ready to serve and change the narrative of governance in Edo State when given the opportunity…as he is prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him”.
Without resorting to sounding panegyric in this context, it is germane to opine that Igbinedion has all the qualities that are expected of a leader that will succeed Obaseki as the people have throughout almost 8 years that he has been in power understood the virtues the next governor needs to take to Osadebey Avenue to become the leader Edolites want.
Without a doubt, Igbinedion portrays a good leader that has faith in God even as he is courageous and fearless in the face of danger. He has in the course of demonstrating the activism in him, rendering legal services to the oppressed and downtrodden shown that he is a leader that is more courageous than his people.
Without a doubt, he has against the backdrop of his callings and profession shown that he is a just and fair leader, and has in the same vein consistently ensured that there is fair treatment for all in society, and has thus never favored anyone.
In a Davidic manner, he has shown that a leader should lead from the forefront of his people when his people have problems to be solved.
In fact, it is not unexpected that not a few readers of this piece will agree that one of the leadership qualities expected of any leader is humility, which David, no doubt, consistently exhibited as gathered, particularly as he usually asked for forgiveness of sin from God. Without recourse to portraying Igbinedion to be a sanctimonious saint in this context, it is expedient to say that he is ready to ask for forgiveness from God, and Edolites; at home and in Diaspora whenever he errs. Looking at these virtues from the perspective of the fact that not a few leaders in the State come across as leaders that are arrogant by unwillingly asking for forgiveness or becoming repentant it will not be exaggerative to say that his candidacy when he eventually emerged as the governor of the state that there is no doubting the fact he will bring the virtues to bear in the governance of the state.
Again, David consulted the prophets of God in all his undertakings as it is expedient and beneficial for a leader to recognize God’s chosen servants, cooperate with them, and constantly ask God’s guidance before indulging in any venture. From the view of this writer, most political observers who know Igbinedion as a lawyer, activist, and politician, will vouch for him that he is kind and has a forgiving heart like David who, as recorded in the bible, forgave his offenders, particularly as he spared Saul’s life in 1 Sam 24:10. Frankly put, Igbinedion as a man with Davidic disposition would be willing to accommodate his rivals even forgive his offenders when he eventually win the gubernatorial election, come 2024.
